Aboriginal women invited to local health celebration

Published30/10/2015

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from around Caroline Springs are invited to an event to celebrate health.

Women will have the chance to meet indigenous artist Judy Nicholson and contribute to an interactive artwork in representation of the positive, nurturing role Indigenous women play in their families and community as well as meet with health professionals to hear more about how they can screen to prevent cervical cancer.

This event is funded by a PapScreen Victoria grant, in an effort to raise awareness around cervical screening and to increase screening rates in this community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are almost four times more likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Aboriginal women in Australia. This suggests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are less likely to have regular Pap tests because of difficulties accessing service providers or cultural barriers. In Victoria, up to 90% of cervical cancer cases can be avoided with regular screening.

Active Medical Centre’s fulltime female women’s health Doctor Jaya Sangam says it’s really important for Aboriginal women to make sure they have a Pap test every two years.

“A Pap test is the only way to look for abnormal changes to the cells on the cervix, which if left undetected and untreated, could develop into cervical cancer.

“It’s important to find a doctor or nurse that you are comfortable with which makes the process more comfortable,” Dr Jaya said.

With a team of female doctors, nurses and allied health, women will have the chance to meet local health professionals and ask questions at the event.

National guidelines recommend that all women aged 18 to 70 who have ever been sexually active to have a Pap test every two years. Regular Pap tests are recommended even after the HPV vaccine.

“As a mum, as a daughter, as a sister, it’s important to take care of your health. I encourage all Aboriginal women from around Caroline Springs and the Melton shire to come, have a chat and also get informed about how they can reduce their cancer risk,” Dr Jaya said.